For the money I would be looking at a Stevens or a Mossberg bolt action. The Stevens is basically a non accutrigger savage. And I have heard really good things about the Mossberg guns. If you wanted to spend a bit more money I would look at a Howa, it uses a Japenese built 700 action and a Hogue stock.

As far as the caliber, my honest opinion is a 30-06 is a bit overkill for deer. I mean if you plan on hunting something bigger later on than it's not a bad choice, but for just deer it seems a bit much to me. I'm sure I could easily handle a 7mm mag but I got a .243 because that is what I wanted. Just because you can shoot something that big doesn't mean you have to. Deer really aren't that hard to kill, even mule deer. And if you want to varmint hunt as well the .243 is very versatile for that, which is why I got one.

My opinion anyway,

Paul